Addictions - Including Substances, Anger Management Issues Brief Therapy

Addictions - Including Substances, Anger Management Issues

While some people can use prescription or recreational drugs with no negative effects, many others become addicted and face dramatic health and lifestyle problems as a result. Substance addictions negatively affect relationships, home, school or work, leaving the person feeling ashamed, helpless and isolated.

Physical symptoms of substance abuse and addiction are varied depending on the drug of choice, but the symptoms of the addiction itself are similar. People who are addicted to substances may neglect their responsibilities, take potentially dangerous risks and get into trouble with the law. As their drug use spirals out of control, they will lose interest in activities that used to be enjoyable and continue to take drugs despite knowing the harm it causes.

Substance addicts tend to build up a tolerance to their drug of choice, and get angry when they can't get more of it. Withdrawal symptoms are highly probable when an addict goes without it for too long. Depression, nausea, insomnia, sweating, restlessness, anxiety and shaking are all common withdrawal symptoms.

Psychotherapy can help you to overcome substance addiction by focusing on correcting maladaptive behaviors. Substance abuse is usually a coping mechanism against emotionally overwhelming past events or memories. Substances are often used to provide instant gratification instead of facing certain issues.

Therapists are equipped to help clients deal with addiction recovery through empowerment and helping them set simple short term targets. The first target is sobriety, followed by empowering the client with adaptive skills and finding new coping strategies that deal with the issues that caused the addiction. Substance addiction can be ended, allowing the person to live a healthy, productive life.

If you need a counsellor or psychologist to help you address the effects of substance addiction, you can search the directory below to find a professional with the approach best suited to your situation.

Brief Therapy

Brief therapy focuses on a client's present and future, rather than his or her past and it builds solutions. Many brief therapists never explore their clients' past problems, but rather focus on the present with goals for creating a positive future.

Psychologists who offer brief therapy take a more pro-active approach to offer faster care for subjective and clinical conditions. This type of therapy creates natural resources and temporarily suspends disbelief to help the client consider a range of new viewpoints or perspectives. It provides a wider context for the client to view the present, and better understandings that can bring about spontaneous change.

Unlike other therapies that focus on the problem, brief therapy is solution-based. It removes the factors that sustain a problem and prevent change. Brief therapists understands that there are many approaches that, combined, can bring about ultimate success.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers brief therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Lee Cassels

M.A., RCC
Lee Cassels is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who sees clients in her office which located in the Port Moody area.    Often people find themselves drawn to counselling sites when they have reached a... Read more

Sara Place

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
It is my honour to deeply listen and support your personal journey through whatever life circumstance brings you to counselling.  We can work through difficult life circumstances, relationship challenges (including... Read more

Scott Harrison

M.A., RCC
Scott is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Scott weaves the science and art of clinical counselling into therapeutic conversations that focus on solutions and strengths... Read more

Lee Lourdeaux

Ph.D., RCSW
For my list of post-graduate trainings, please see my website. Everyone's story is unique and no therapy session follows a predictable path. Yet the following steps provide a general outline of how your therapy... Read more

Mary Longworth

M.Sc., RCC
Mary Longworth is in private practice (Delta Counselling) in the South Delta, Tsawwassen, Ladner and New Westminster regions since receiving her M.Sc. in marital, family and child counselling in 1995. Mary is a... Read more

Annette Kasahara

M.Ed., RCC
As a Coach and Therapist Annette Kasahara provides a safe environment of acceptance and encouragement to allow clients to achieve their goals at a pace they determine. Her commitment is to assist clients to recognize... Read more

Mark Choi

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
I am an individual and family therapist who works with youth, adults and families who are feeling overwhelmed. Common struggles include social and emotional challenges, mental health and/or substance use concerns. I... Read more

Mark Holland

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
A Registered Clinical Counsellor serving Vancouver since 2015, Mark helps clients uncover realistic, pragmatic solutions to their problems. Identified as a leader in his field, Mark works with clients to leverage... Read more

Jim Browning

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Browning has been a registered psychologist in the Vancouver area since 1980. He has worked extensively in the areas of mental health, family violence, addictions, men's issues, trauma recovery and employee... Read more